Meghan and Prince Harry set up court of advisers to give them sense of 'royalty' after Trump's election derailed her political ambitions
In January 2020 Harry left his UK royal home to meet up with Meghan and baby Archie, who had left for Canada two weeks earlier.
He and Meghan didn't like the royal routine.
They wanted to be free and do things their way, rather than follow the requests of their royal aides.
A royal author even alleged that Meghan once said "it's not my job to coddle people" when confronted by a senior aide over her treatment of staff.
Meanwhile royal aides accused Harry of 'breathtaking arrogance' after he claimed he wanted to 'protect' the Queen.
Five years later Harry and Meghan now appear to have created their own royal household, and launched their own mini 'royal court' of staffers, all of whom white, to take on the demands, according to The Mail on Sunday.
It won't be easy and their royal household is likely to take generations to create.
It is also likely to be a cheap knock-off of the real thing.
Even if Meghan tries to show she's more modern and suitable to be a royal than Princess Catherine.
It's something I know Harry once suggested to the late Queen Elizabeth.
It all sounds rather pointless as Meghan doesn't listen to advice - she believes she always knows best and that Harry only listens to her.
Some staff might not last long.
The motivation for setting up her own 'court' of advisors could be that with Donald Trump as US President she realises she has no chance to get a senior political role.
So she might as well try for her own brand of royalty.
Prince William will no doubt be irritated and angry should the Sussexes attempt to in any way surpass the Royal Family.
He won't be happy either if they start using their HRH title, which they promised they wouldn't do back in 2020.
One reason for all this is that Harry is furious that he has dropped down the royal list of popularity.
Only 27 per cent of UK adults have a positive opinion of him, according to a recent YouGov poll – his worst rating in more than two years.
Meghan's popularity has hit a record low of 20 per cent.
Maybe, just maybe, he could stop being so unpleasant about his family.
Instead, he seems to want the new staff to behave like the aides who raised him in Britain and make sure he and Meghan are well protected from the media he rages against.
Shortly after relocating to California back in 2020, the Duke and Duchess vowed to never again deal with the British tabloids – taking an approach of 'zero engagement' except when absolutely necessary.
At the time, the couple hit out at stories he felt were 'distorted' or 'invasive beyond reason'.
It's an approach that has earned the couple no favours with the press over the past five years.
Meghan is probably wishing they were a bit more willing to drum up publicity for the clothes and goodies she wants to sell.
Regular journalists with opinions that might get under their skin weren't given access to their fake royal tours of Columbia and Nigeria on their fake royal trips.
One magazine journalist, who had very restricted access, was the only one given that honour.
It didn't do them much good.
Harry felt 'trapped' in the Royal Family - a word he used when Oprah Winfrey interviewed them once they'd left and a word Harry used to put down Prince William and the then-Prince Charles.
Could Meghan now expect people to bow or curtsy to her?
She used to think it was ridiculous when she had to curtsy when she met the Queen for the first time.
Might they even honour their visitors who have done what they were told with a gentle tap on the shoulder with a sword?
An American has just written to me that Harry and Megan setting up a royal court within the United States will be a 'problem for the American Government, who have never wanted English royals trying to be in control'.
Angela Levin is an award-winning British journalist and royal biographer. Her biography Harry: Conversations with the Prince was published in 2018. Her work has been commended twice at the British Press Awards.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Robert Irwin on Prince William: 'An environmental hero'
Robert Irwin says he loved getting the chance to work with Prince William and share their mutual passion for conservation. The 21-year-old Australian recently teamed up with the heir to the British throne after he was was named a Global Ambassador for the Prince of Wales' Earthshot Prize. "I think Prince William has been such an amazing person to work with, and there is such an incredible synergy between what he does and who he is and who we are," he told UsWeekly. "It's all about conservation." ""I think it's wonderful that someone so influential - that has such a fantastic platform - is using that to really better our environment," he said. "He is a true environmental hero, and so working with him has been a great privilege." Irwin insists that everyone needs to "prioritise" the environment, saying William is "at the forefront" of that movement. "We've definitely compared a lot of notes in the conservation space," he said. "We need to prioritise taking care of our natural world. And he's really at the forefront of that. "And plus, he's just a great guy. When you have a conversation with him, he's the most lovely, intelligent person to talk to and is just so easygoing, so much fun. "And I love working with him. He's a really, really, really good guy." Robert Irwin says he loved getting the chance to work with Prince William and share their mutual passion for conservation. The 21-year-old Australian recently teamed up with the heir to the British throne after he was was named a Global Ambassador for the Prince of Wales' Earthshot Prize. "I think Prince William has been such an amazing person to work with, and there is such an incredible synergy between what he does and who he is and who we are," he told UsWeekly. "It's all about conservation." ""I think it's wonderful that someone so influential - that has such a fantastic platform - is using that to really better our environment," he said. "He is a true environmental hero, and so working with him has been a great privilege." Irwin insists that everyone needs to "prioritise" the environment, saying William is "at the forefront" of that movement. "We've definitely compared a lot of notes in the conservation space," he said. "We need to prioritise taking care of our natural world. And he's really at the forefront of that. "And plus, he's just a great guy. When you have a conversation with him, he's the most lovely, intelligent person to talk to and is just so easygoing, so much fun. "And I love working with him. He's a really, really, really good guy." Robert Irwin says he loved getting the chance to work with Prince William and share their mutual passion for conservation. The 21-year-old Australian recently teamed up with the heir to the British throne after he was was named a Global Ambassador for the Prince of Wales' Earthshot Prize. "I think Prince William has been such an amazing person to work with, and there is such an incredible synergy between what he does and who he is and who we are," he told UsWeekly. "It's all about conservation." ""I think it's wonderful that someone so influential - that has such a fantastic platform - is using that to really better our environment," he said. "He is a true environmental hero, and so working with him has been a great privilege." Irwin insists that everyone needs to "prioritise" the environment, saying William is "at the forefront" of that movement. "We've definitely compared a lot of notes in the conservation space," he said. "We need to prioritise taking care of our natural world. And he's really at the forefront of that. "And plus, he's just a great guy. When you have a conversation with him, he's the most lovely, intelligent person to talk to and is just so easygoing, so much fun. "And I love working with him. He's a really, really, really good guy." Robert Irwin says he loved getting the chance to work with Prince William and share their mutual passion for conservation. The 21-year-old Australian recently teamed up with the heir to the British throne after he was was named a Global Ambassador for the Prince of Wales' Earthshot Prize. "I think Prince William has been such an amazing person to work with, and there is such an incredible synergy between what he does and who he is and who we are," he told UsWeekly. "It's all about conservation." ""I think it's wonderful that someone so influential - that has such a fantastic platform - is using that to really better our environment," he said. "He is a true environmental hero, and so working with him has been a great privilege." Irwin insists that everyone needs to "prioritise" the environment, saying William is "at the forefront" of that movement. "We've definitely compared a lot of notes in the conservation space," he said. "We need to prioritise taking care of our natural world. And he's really at the forefront of that. "And plus, he's just a great guy. When you have a conversation with him, he's the most lovely, intelligent person to talk to and is just so easygoing, so much fun. "And I love working with him. He's a really, really, really good guy."
7NEWS
4 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Tributes for Australian veteran lost in Ukraine landmine blast
Family and friends will gather this week to honour a 28-year-old Australian veteran killed clearing landmines in Ukraine. Nick Parsons was working with UK-based humanitarian group Prevail Together when he suffered fatal injuries near the city of Izyum in eastern Ukraine last month. The blast also claimed the life of British co-founder Chris Garrett and left a third person critically injured. Known affectionately as 'Nic' among friends, Parsons was remembered by close mate Lachie Romer as someone who brought light and laughter wherever he went. 'Nic was ... always up for a laugh, always there when you needed him, and someone who made life better just by being in it,' Romer wrote in a fundraiser to support Parsons' family and help cover funeral expenses. The campaign has seen an outpouring of support nationwide, raising over $20,000 in its first 15 hours. 'Let's come together and do this for Nic — for the good times, the laughs, and the memories we'll never forget,' Romer said. 'Rest easy, legend. 'We'll miss you forever.' A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 5, at Morleys Funeral Home in Townsville, Queensland,followed by a memorial gathering at the Townsville RSL, where loved ones will share stories and celebrate Nicholas' life. Following the tragedy, Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, praised Parsons' courage and selflessness. 'Demining is one of those areas where your life is 50/50 — you can live or you can die. 'We are very thankful to him and for his courageous work in Ukraine.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also offered his condolences, confirming Parsons had been engaged in humanitarian work and not in combat. 'The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine under any circumstances,' Albanese said. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently providing consular support to Parsons' family, while Prevail Together works alongside Ukrainian authorities to investigate the incident. Meanwhile, in a significant military development, a on Sunday. The operation, personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelensky, reportedly took more than 18 months to plan. The attack came just one day ahead of new direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, as Russian forces continued to bombard Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
UK to expand sub fleet for 'warfighting readiness'
Britain will increase the size of its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet ahead of a defence review expected to say the country must invest billions to be ready and equipped to fight a modern war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like other leaders across Europe, is racing to rebuild his country's defence capabilities after US President Donald Trump told the continent it needed to take more responsibility for its own security. The Strategic Defence Review to be released on Monday will call for Britain's armed forces to move to a state of "warfighting readiness", spelling out changing security threats and which defence technologies are needed to counter them. "We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," Defence Minister John Healey said in a statement. Britain will build up to 12 of its next-generation attack submarines, which are nuclear-powered but carry conventional non-nuclear weapons, to replace the current fleet of seven from the late 2030s, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Britain operates a separate fleet of submarines armed with nuclear weapons. The government for the first time said a pre-existing program to develop a new nuclear warhead to replace the model used by that fleet would cost Stg15 billion ($A31 billion). "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead program on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad," Healey added. The new submarines will be a model jointly developed by the UK, US and Australia under the security partnership known as AUKUS. In light of Trump's decision to upend decades of strategic reliance on the US by Europe, Starmer has already committed to increasing Britain's defence spending in an attempt to reverse a long-term decline in its military capability. He has promised to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 and target a three per cent level over the longer term. On Sunday he warned Britain must be ready to fight and win a war against states with advanced military forces. In the days running up to the Strategic Defence Review, which Starmer commissioned shortly after taking office in July, the government announced plans to spend billions on munitions plants, battlefield technology and military housing. Juggling severely strained public finances, a slow-growing economy and declining popularity among an increasingly dissatisfied electorate, Starmer has sought to cast increased spending on defence as a way to create jobs and wealth. "This plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country," he is expected to say in a speech launching the review. Britain will increase the size of its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet ahead of a defence review expected to say the country must invest billions to be ready and equipped to fight a modern war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like other leaders across Europe, is racing to rebuild his country's defence capabilities after US President Donald Trump told the continent it needed to take more responsibility for its own security. The Strategic Defence Review to be released on Monday will call for Britain's armed forces to move to a state of "warfighting readiness", spelling out changing security threats and which defence technologies are needed to counter them. "We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," Defence Minister John Healey said in a statement. Britain will build up to 12 of its next-generation attack submarines, which are nuclear-powered but carry conventional non-nuclear weapons, to replace the current fleet of seven from the late 2030s, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Britain operates a separate fleet of submarines armed with nuclear weapons. The government for the first time said a pre-existing program to develop a new nuclear warhead to replace the model used by that fleet would cost Stg15 billion ($A31 billion). "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead program on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad," Healey added. The new submarines will be a model jointly developed by the UK, US and Australia under the security partnership known as AUKUS. In light of Trump's decision to upend decades of strategic reliance on the US by Europe, Starmer has already committed to increasing Britain's defence spending in an attempt to reverse a long-term decline in its military capability. He has promised to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 and target a three per cent level over the longer term. On Sunday he warned Britain must be ready to fight and win a war against states with advanced military forces. In the days running up to the Strategic Defence Review, which Starmer commissioned shortly after taking office in July, the government announced plans to spend billions on munitions plants, battlefield technology and military housing. Juggling severely strained public finances, a slow-growing economy and declining popularity among an increasingly dissatisfied electorate, Starmer has sought to cast increased spending on defence as a way to create jobs and wealth. "This plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country," he is expected to say in a speech launching the review. Britain will increase the size of its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet ahead of a defence review expected to say the country must invest billions to be ready and equipped to fight a modern war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like other leaders across Europe, is racing to rebuild his country's defence capabilities after US President Donald Trump told the continent it needed to take more responsibility for its own security. The Strategic Defence Review to be released on Monday will call for Britain's armed forces to move to a state of "warfighting readiness", spelling out changing security threats and which defence technologies are needed to counter them. "We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," Defence Minister John Healey said in a statement. Britain will build up to 12 of its next-generation attack submarines, which are nuclear-powered but carry conventional non-nuclear weapons, to replace the current fleet of seven from the late 2030s, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Britain operates a separate fleet of submarines armed with nuclear weapons. The government for the first time said a pre-existing program to develop a new nuclear warhead to replace the model used by that fleet would cost Stg15 billion ($A31 billion). "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead program on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad," Healey added. The new submarines will be a model jointly developed by the UK, US and Australia under the security partnership known as AUKUS. In light of Trump's decision to upend decades of strategic reliance on the US by Europe, Starmer has already committed to increasing Britain's defence spending in an attempt to reverse a long-term decline in its military capability. He has promised to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 and target a three per cent level over the longer term. On Sunday he warned Britain must be ready to fight and win a war against states with advanced military forces. In the days running up to the Strategic Defence Review, which Starmer commissioned shortly after taking office in July, the government announced plans to spend billions on munitions plants, battlefield technology and military housing. Juggling severely strained public finances, a slow-growing economy and declining popularity among an increasingly dissatisfied electorate, Starmer has sought to cast increased spending on defence as a way to create jobs and wealth. "This plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country," he is expected to say in a speech launching the review. Britain will increase the size of its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet ahead of a defence review expected to say the country must invest billions to be ready and equipped to fight a modern war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like other leaders across Europe, is racing to rebuild his country's defence capabilities after US President Donald Trump told the continent it needed to take more responsibility for its own security. The Strategic Defence Review to be released on Monday will call for Britain's armed forces to move to a state of "warfighting readiness", spelling out changing security threats and which defence technologies are needed to counter them. "We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," Defence Minister John Healey said in a statement. Britain will build up to 12 of its next-generation attack submarines, which are nuclear-powered but carry conventional non-nuclear weapons, to replace the current fleet of seven from the late 2030s, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Britain operates a separate fleet of submarines armed with nuclear weapons. The government for the first time said a pre-existing program to develop a new nuclear warhead to replace the model used by that fleet would cost Stg15 billion ($A31 billion). "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead program on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad," Healey added. The new submarines will be a model jointly developed by the UK, US and Australia under the security partnership known as AUKUS. In light of Trump's decision to upend decades of strategic reliance on the US by Europe, Starmer has already committed to increasing Britain's defence spending in an attempt to reverse a long-term decline in its military capability. He has promised to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 and target a three per cent level over the longer term. On Sunday he warned Britain must be ready to fight and win a war against states with advanced military forces. In the days running up to the Strategic Defence Review, which Starmer commissioned shortly after taking office in July, the government announced plans to spend billions on munitions plants, battlefield technology and military housing. Juggling severely strained public finances, a slow-growing economy and declining popularity among an increasingly dissatisfied electorate, Starmer has sought to cast increased spending on defence as a way to create jobs and wealth. "This plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country," he is expected to say in a speech launching the review.
